OMM Newsroom
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) may decide on Armenia’s withdrawal at its summit in Moscow on November 10-11, Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov said on Friday, according to Anadolu Agency.
In comments to Russian state news agency “Tass” published overnight, Masadykov said withdrawal “could happen” if the issue is raised at the summit. Proposals are usually submitted by the country holding the CSTO presidency or by another member state, he said.
“In practice, this aligns with Article 25 of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Charter, which stipulates that if membership dues are not paid and quota-based positions remain unfilled, a member state loses its voting rights,” Masadykov said.
He noted that Armenia is not participating in CSTO sessions, but an Armenian representative continues to attend weekly meetings of the alliance’s Permanent Council.
“The Armenian representative listens and, presumably, reports back to their capital about what we are discussing and what decisions are being reached – in fact, they are privy to all the issues under discussion and any potential decisions being considered,” he added.
The CSTO is a military alliance formed in 2002. Its members are Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia, which suspended its participation in the organization’s activities in early 2024.
Last month, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during parliamentary discussions that Yerevan did not intend to take part in CSTO activities over the next five years.
“I know that there are discussions in the CSTO and that they may expel our country from the organization. I would be very happy if the organization decided to expel Armenia from the CSTO. It would free us from the dilemma of whether or not to withdraw,” Pashinyan was quoted as saying by state news agency “Armenpress”.
